100 REFERRALS TO AN EATING DISORDERS SERVICE - PROGRESS AND SERVICE CONSUMPTION OVER A 2-4-YEAR PERIOD

The progress and service consumption of a cohort of 100 referrals to a n Eating Disorders Service over a 2-4 year period are examined. The me dian duration of contact was 9 months, but there was wide variation in service consumption. About half of all patients eventually dropped ou t: of contact, including one-third who did not engage in treatment, bu t at the other extreme 7 per cent were still in contact after 4 years. Amongst those we succeeded in following up, three-quarters of patient s felt subjectively improved and there was a reduction from 62 per cen t to 33 per cent in those meeting criteria for anorexia nervosa or bul imia nervosa. Approximately two-thirds of those with anorexia nervosa and half of those with bulimia nervosa no longer met criteria for the full syndromes. The implications of the Findings for those running or planning to run specialist eating disorders services are discussed.